NO RESERVATIONS

CAROLINE: We were beyond excited to see “No Reservations,” which is based on a European film called “Mostly Martha.”

RYAN: I loved this movie so much, and I started telling you that about 15 minutes into it, and then repeated myself every 15 minutes throughout the movie.

CAROLINE: I loved it too, but the trailer for this movie is so misleading – it’s not a romantic comedy at all, which surprised us. I think because of the light nature of the trailer, we just assumed it was a comedy; but it’s much more of a drama. And it’s directed by Scott Hicks, who did “Shine,” so I guess that makes sense.

RYAN: I’d like to give a shout-out to my friend Erin who blessed us with her presence for this film screening. This movie must be hotly anticipated because the screening we went to was packed. Everyone was in their seats at least 10 minutes before the movie started, whereas most screenings we go to aren’t even full.

CAROLINE: And when we left, there was a line of about 50 people waiting for the second screening more than 40 minutes before it started.

RYAN: And rightly so – they should be excited to see this movie. The performances are excellent. Catherine Zeta-Jones looks better than she has in years.

CAROLINE: You think?

RYAN: She looked natural and beautiful. Her body is great. She’s not emancipated at all – and by that, I mean emaciated.

CAROLINE: Oh totally. She’s always had a hot bod without being scary-looking. She’s great in this movie, although as in “Chicago,” her American accent is iffy at times. In one scene, she and her niece are playing Monopoly and CZJ shouts “Park Place!” and it sounds like “Paahhk Place!” It’s rather amusing.

RYAN: Let’s talk about Aaron Eckhart.

CAROLINE: He’s amazing. There is something about the way he lights up the screen with that cleft chin and whatnot.

RYAN: We are going to interview him for our radio show, and we’re so looking forward to it.

CAROLINE: He’s so great. I hesitate to call him underrated, but he doesn’t seem to have the same movie star cachet that some other actors have, and he really should. It was so fun to see him in a romantic leading role.

RYAN: More than anything, this movie makes me want to eat spaghetti.

CAROLINE: The food was fabulous! It takes places at a hot NYC restaurant, and they did an amazing job of making it look real. I wanted to eat every dish that Catherine Z-J prepared.

RYAN: Me too, and I don’t even eat half of that stuff.

CAROLINE: I have to confess that lil’ Abigail Breslin made me cry. I had to borrow a napkin from you to blot.

RYAN: She’s a good little actress, but whoever put her in those ridiculous outfits in this movie should be shot. She looked like a poor man’s Punky Brewster.

CAROLINE: [laughs’ She was rocking a hippie-chick look at age 9, and it was questionable at times.

RYAN: Especially because CZJ’s character is so chic she probably would have burned Abigail’s clothes as soon as she moved in with her.

CAROLINE: And she had way too many stuffed animals for one child.

RYAN: I think she had a plushy fetish.

CAROLINE: I also want to mention Bob Balaban and Patricia Clarkson who have supporting roles in this movie and are, as always, excellent. Bottom line?

RYAN: The music and set design are great, the pacing is wonderful – I ate this up. It’s one of my favorite films of the year.

CAROLINE: I knew I would love this movie the first time I saw the trailer, and I must say it’s of even a higher caliber than I thought it would be. It’s very moving, and the love story is great. Fabulous chemistry between CZ Jones and Aaron Eckhart.

RYAN: Let’s go get Italian right now.

CAROLINE: Done and done.